NY State Police plan DWI, underage-drinking checkpoints for St. Patrick's Day weekend

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York State Police are stepping up efforts to find drunken drivers and underage drinking this St. Patrick's Day weekend.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement that from Friday through Monday, drivers can expect sobriety checkpoints, increased DWI patrols and increased inspections on underage drinking and sales to minors.

State police will also be issuing tickets to distracted drivers using cell phones and other handheld electronic devices.

The campaign is intended to curb drinking related accidents.

Last year, during a similar campaign, state troopers issued 9,763 tickets and made 204 arrests for DWI during St. Patrick's Day weekend, according to Cuomo.